This thesis examines operational control of bombers stationed in the United States but employed halfway around the world. When a contingency arises, operational control should be clear-cut from the beginning. Air Force doctrine concerning command and control is easily understood for assets that deploy into a theater. The mere issue of proximity to the commander makes control seem somewhat less confusing. However, when bombers generate under one combatant commander and execute their mission under the operational control of another combatant commander, the timing of when one commander relinquishes control and the other commander gains control is questionable. This study focuses on historic examples of bomber operational control and legislative influences on operational control. Determining when to change operational control comes down to identifying which combatant command has the mission that requires operational control and when CONUS bombers are ready for sustained operations under that command. Following an introductory chapter, Chapter 2 examines issues relating to the use of bombers from World War II to the present day. This examination traces how operational control of bombers until recently was guided by strategic nuclear imperatives. Chapter 3 provides a historical overview of the applicable legislation from the National Security Act of 1947 through the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. This chapter demonstrates how operational control is tied to the mission given by the President, through the Secretary of Defense. The chapter also highlights the numerous command authorities resulting from this legislation, which would lead to confusion concerning operational control. Chapter 4 addresses the current unified command structure and issues that stem from the authority provided to combatant commanders by the Goldwater-Nichols legislation. Chapter 5 provides recommendations for when control of bombers should transfer between combatant commanders. (8 refs.).
Operational Control of Global Airpower
2002
74 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Aircraft , Military Operations, Strategy, & Tactics , Common Carrier & Satellite , Long range(Distance) , Command and control systems , History , Military commanders , Air force operations , Bomber aircraft , Iraq , United states , Lessons learned , Military doctrine , Theses , Air strikes , Joint military activities , Legislation , Southeast asia , Strategic air command , Korean war , Second world war , Vietnam war , Operational control , Transfer of command , Conus(Continental united states) , Conus aircraft , Conus bombers , Control of forces , Aor(Area of responsibility) , Global strike missions , Acc(Air combat command) , Long range strikes , Usjfcom(United states joint forces command) , Desert storm operation , Desert shield operation , Allied force operation , Kosovo , National security act of 1947 , Department of defense reorganization act of 1958 , Goldwater nichols act of 1986 , Chain of command and control
FEATURES - The Mystique of Airpower: The Airpower Professional's Book Club
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|Global Air Mobility and Persistent Airpower Operations
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